Display method and apparatus



Nov. 1, 1932. E. B. KIRK DISPLAY METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 1a. 1929 Patented Nov. A 1, 1932 UNITE EDWARD B. KIRK, or new Haven, conned-r cer, assrsnon To KIRK .notnrnc-"con ronerron, or new YORK, n. Y., A conrona'rron or nnw'vonn DISPLAY nnrnon Application filed April 13,

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing illuminated displays.

The object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated display of pleasing appearance which will display substantially any design or succession of designs in any desired arrangement of colors.

With this object in view, the principal feature of the present invention consists of a plurality of cells or compartments each containing one or more light emitting devices, such as incandescent lamps. The cells are so constructed either by an inclined arrangement, by translucencies, or other suitable means to prevent direct visualization of the rays, the light beams being so reflected or diffused that each cell is visible as a separate area of practical uniform illumination. As viewed by the observer, each cell constitutes a source of light. The pattern formed by the display of a number of illuminated areas makes a complete connected design as distinguished from the disconnected display of a number of points of light which characterizes the usual sign having exposed lamps.

Another feature of the invention contemplates striking and effective color effects by the use of a plurality of different colored light-en1itting devices in each cell. The colored rays emitted by the several devices in each cell are thoroughly diffused and mixed to form a composite color which is observed as such over the visible area of the cell. Thus, by the use of three primary colors, such as red, blue and green, and a proper control of the relative brilliancies of each, the observed composite color may be anything from nearly white light to the deepest colors of the spectrum. Changes of color effects may be obtained by variations of relative intensities of illum'inations, a simple operation that may be carried out at the control apparatus without the necessity for changing the individual lamps. The pattern composed of the connected illuminated areas may be of any desired arrangement and combination of colors.

The sign may be constructed to display. a permanent pattern or a sequence of patterns. The invention ofli'ers advantages in semiperof oneof the cells.

AND APPARATUS 1929... Serial nmesaesa.

tered either in form or in color arrangement by merely changing the intensities ofillumination of different lamps without requiring any alteration 111 the lampsor the sign itself. One of the most important advantages ofthe .invention, however, resides in its capacity for showing changing effects such as words or figures in motion or 1n varying colors.

Other features of the invention consist in.

certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims. 1

In the accompanying drawing,'Fig. 1' is a perspective view of a group ofcells forming a sign having theffeatures of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a sectionalelevation The illustrated embodiment of the invention consists of the sign havingthe casing 4 which is divided bythevertical partitions 16 and horizontal partitions 8 to form a plu- .rality of cells or compartments, 10. Received in the bottom of each-cell are a plurality of sockets 12 to receive the lamps 1d, 16 and. 18. Any number of lamps may .beemployed but forwpractical purposes, it is necessary touse only a red, blue and green lampjin each cell.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cells are of considerable depth and areinclinedupwardly so that the direct rays fromthe lamps are not permitted to be observed. The walls of each cell are provided with a reflecting surface,

preferably white enamel, although plated metal may be used, if desired. The separate 108118 are as nearly lightproof as possible in order that each one'may bevisible as a separate point of light. The different vcolored rays of light emitted from the three lamps are reflected from the walls and'are thereby diffused and mixed so that the coloroffeach cell, as viewed by the observer, depends upon the composite efli'ectof the raysof the three .lamps. By varying V the relative intensities of illumination of the lamps, practically any desired composite color may be obtained. in-

cluding even nearly white light; V g

The sign may be covered with a translucent pane of ground 3 glass, oiled silk, or the like, to protect the cells from the weather for selectively varying the relative intensiand also to enhance the diffusing and mixing ties of illumination of the light sources of effect. If the pane is sufliciently translucent the cells to produce a changing design.

to prevent the direct rays of the lamps from In testimony whereof I have signed my being observed, the inclined arrangement of name to this specification.

the cells-may be dispensed With.

The sign, as above described, is adapted With selective illumination of the lamps toproduce permanent or semi-permanent displays in any desired pattern and with any desired arrangement and combination of colors.

Although the cells or compartments have been illustrated as being substantially lightproof, whereby the separate illuminated areas of the cells are separately visible, it will be understood that the cells are not necessarily completely light-proof, but where soft or diffused effects are desired, provision may be made for permitting rays of light to pass from one cell to another.

The color effects obtainable with the sign are striking, it being possible to produce substantially any color, including nearly white light, by mixing of the colors of the rays emitted by the several lamps in each cell.

'The colors may be instantaneously varied to prevent direct visualization of the rays and having'reflecting inside surfaces to mix the rays and produce light of a composite color,

each of the separate cells being visible as an area of the composite color.

2. A sign comprising a plurality of cells each containing a-number of different col- 'ored' lamps, the cells being inclined with respect to the front thereof and of sufficient depth to prevent direct observation of the lamps, the walls ofthe cells having reflecting surfaces to diffuse and mix the rays of the lamps to produce in each cell a composite color.

3. A sign comprising a plurality of similar, regularly'shaped cells, a source of light in each cell whereby the separate cells are rendered visible as small independently illuminated connected areas, the cells being composed of reflecting walls, thewalls being inclined with respect to the front of the cell to exhibit only the reflected illumination therefrom. r

4. A sign comprising a plurality of separate cells, a plurality of colored light sources in each cell to exhibit the cells as a plurality of separate, connected, independently illuminated areas, the cells being inclined with respect to the front thereof to prevent direct Visualization of the light sources, and means EDWARDv B. KIRK. 

